Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Children of the Light

Luke 13:10-17

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath.And a woman was there who for eighteen yearshad been crippled by a spirit;she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect.When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said,“Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.”He laid his hands on her,and she at once stood up straight and glorified God.But the leader of the synagogue,indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath,said to the crowd in reply,“There are six days when work should be done.Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.”The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites!Does not each one of you on the sabbathuntie his ox or his ass from the mangerand lead it out for watering?This daughter of Abraham,whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now,ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath dayfrom this bondage?”When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated;and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him.
Today’s readings, call to mind several messages and invitations. The first invitation was to be attentive to how I am crippled, bent over and/or burdened. What is keeping me from standing erect? This could certainly be the work of the devil but let's take a little closer to home. What attitudes am I currently holding that are not life giving? What assumptions am I buying into that may not be true? Whose opinions am I accepting as right but may not be? What things, culturally, have grabbed my attention but feel heavy? Reflecting on questions like these brings us all to another question for reflection, maybe even a more important question. How I am crippling others with assumptions, judgments and attitudes?

It is clear from the Gospel reading today that Jesus is implying that the leader of the synagogue was doing just that. With his attitude of indignation, judgment and “letter of the law truth” he was crippling those he claimed to be leading. He was preventing them from seeing Jesus as the Light and consequently impeding their journeys to live as children of the Light.

Children of the Light are “kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another . . . .” Children of the Light “live in love.” When we are not living in love, it is important to take a step back and ask the questions in prayer, “How am I burdened?” “How am I burdening others?” Then, when we have recognized our role in our own and others crippling, we need to pray for Christ’s healing touch and mercy for ourselves and our world.

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The Province of Meribah strives to discern and respond to the needs of the Church today.
We see the Catholic school as the center of apostolic activities, activities which make their effect felt far beyond the walls of the classroom.
As a consequence of our profession of vows, we enter a new family, our religious community. In this religious community, we assume new relationships and responsibilities toward God, our Brothers in community, and the People of God.
By our profession in the Society of Mary, we commit ourselves to grow in holiness and to bring all to Christ.

The Province of Meribah

Our vocation is an infinite gift, offered to us by Jesus in the name of his Mother. As Marianists, we dedicate our lives to Mary. We are honored to follow her example of humble service and faithful discipleship in every aspect of our life.

Vocation Director

The Province of Meribah welcomes young men who have graduated from high school to join them in their life of prayer, dedication to the common life, and mission of educating the young.

Operation Fiat

Operation Fiat is for young men considering a vocation to religious life. The evening includes Evening Prayer, dinner with the Community, and a short presentation.

The Fall Operation Fiat took place on Wednesday, November 14th at the Kellenberg Memorial Community in Uniondale, New York. It began at 6 pm in the Chapel of the Transfiguration.

The Spring Operation Fiat was held on Tuesday, April 17th at the Chaminade-Mineola Community at 6 pm in the Chapel of Our Lady's Assumption. Brother Lawrence shared his vocation over his years in religious life.

May the grace of a Marianist vocation be brought to fulfillment.

If you are interested in learning more about the Marianists, please contact Bro. Michael or Bro. Stephen.